Frank-Zappa

Music Commentary: A Deep Dive into The Mothers of Invention’s “Plastic People”

March 29, 2024
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Frank Zappa’s tight editing ensured that “Plastic People” was a compelling aural creation, and his fierce confidence compelled listeners to pay attention to the words.

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Book Review: “Happy Forever” — An Entertaining Oral History of the Turtles and the World of Pop Music

June 18, 2023
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This offbeat bio of Turtles vocalist, songwriter, and clown prince Mark Volman has been assembled from amusing, insightful, horrifying, honest, and candidly told stories from friends, family, and even some foes.

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Book Review: “Frank & Co” (Mr. Mother of Invention Speaks His Mind)

February 26, 2022
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Frank Zappa didn’t like being interviewed, but he sure enjoyed having a chat.

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Book Review: “Freak Out! My Life with the Mothers of Invention” — Intimate Observations

January 19, 2021
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Fans of Frank Zappa who want to know about Frank the man as well as Zappa the musical and political icon would be wise to seek out Freak Out!

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Film Review: Remembrance of Things Zappa

November 17, 2017
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Filmmaker Salvo Cuccia packs a lot into this tightly framed 2014 documentary on Frank Zappa.

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Concert Review: NEC Winds Play Mingus, Schuller, Babbitt (and More)

March 12, 2014
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The five compositions and one de facto suite played at the NEC Winds and Winds Ensemble performance spoke with six different voices and carried six different messages.

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Music Preview: Navigating the Headwaters of the Third Stream

February 12, 2014
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NEC is closed tonight but much of the repertoire on this program is also scheduled for a concert on March 6.

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Book Review: Frank Zappa — A Jerk of Genius

December 6, 2004
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Veteran British journalist Barry Miles pens the definitive biography of irreverent rocker Frank Zappa. Zappa by Barry Miles. Grove Press By Milo Miles Veteran British journalist and biographer Barry Miles, who has specialized in the Beatles and the Beats, treats Frank Zappa with the same corrosive irreverence the artist applied to every subject he discussed…

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